England’s Maia Bouchier and Nat Sciver-Brunt showcased remarkable centuries, while Nonkululeko Mlaba spearheaded the Proteas Women’s fightback on Day 1 of the one-off Test at Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

Making her Test debut, Bouchier dazzled with a stunning 126 runs off 154 balls, including 22 fours and two sixes. Sciver-Brunt closely followed with a forceful 128 runs from 145 deliveries, featuring 18 boundaries. However, it was Mlaba who stole the limelight with a career-best Test performance, claiming 4 wickets for 90 runs, as England declared their innings at 395/9.

South Africa managed to navigate the last six overs of the day without losing a wicket, finishing at 17/0 and trailing by 378 runs. After winning the toss and choosing to bat, England’s openers, Tammy Beaumont (21) and Bouchier, laid a solid foundation with a 50-run partnership.

The first breakthrough came when Ayanda Hlubi (2/40) took her maiden Test wicket, dismissing Beaumont. Unfazed, Bouchier forged another half-century partnership with captain Heather Knight (20), lifting England’s total to 103/1. Tumi Sekhukhune (1/37) then struck to trap Knight lbw, bringing the formidable Sciver-Brunt to the crease.

Sciver-Brunt and Bouchier unleashed havoc on the South African bowling line-up, forming a vigorous 174-run partnership for the third wicket. Both batters reached their centuries, but just before the tea break, Mlaba claimed the pivotal wicket of Bouchier.

After the break, Mlaba continued her brilliant form, backed up by Suné Luus (0/78), who bowled steadily. Mlaba dismissed Danni Wyatt-Hodge (12) and executed a run-out of Sciver-Brunt at the non-striker’s end, leaving England at 357/5 in the 79th over.

With both centurions back in the pavilion, Mlaba secured two more wickets, while Hlubi and Marizanne Kapp (1/20) played a crucial role in restricting England’s scoring. England eventually declared their innings at 395/9 after 92 overs. In response, South African openers Laura Wolvaardt (8*) and Anneke Bosch (6*) navigated a tense six-over stretch safely before day’s end.

They concluded the day at 17/0, with the Proteas trailing by 378 runs in the first innings.

Proteas Women Test Squad – Inbound Tour against England (2024/25)

Laura Wolvaardt (captain) (Fidelity Titans), Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Mieke de Ridder* (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Lara Goodall (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (World Sports Betting Western Province), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions)